Tom Matano, the father of the the Mazda MX-5, will design the first car from fledgling US car manufacturer VVC. Production of the so-called ‘All-American Car' will begin in about 12 months.

With help from billionaire T Boone Pickens, the V-Vehicle Company will create 1400 US auto industry jobs - sorely needed ones in light of recent events - in a new plant in Louisiana. The car is yet to break ranks, but Matano says it will be as iconic as the MX-5.

Pretty big claim...